The landmark study Aging with Pride: National Health, Aging, and Sexuality/Gender Study is the first federally-funded longitudinal national project designed to better understand the aging, health, and well-being of LGBTQ midlife and older adults and their families. With over 2,400 LGBTQ adults ranging in age from 50 to over 100, this project deepens our understanding of how various life experiences are related to changes in aging, health, and well-being over time. The findings paint a vivid portrait of the lives of LGBTQ midlife and older adults, documenting the interplay of risk and resilience to further understand those reaching their full aging and health potential and those most at risk of health, social, and economic disparities. This project is a collaboration with 17 community agencies (see Community Partners) serving LGBTQ older adults in every census division throughout the U.S. The project is funded through a federal grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Institute on Aging (NIA).

The fundamental work that led to Aging with Pride was Caring and Aging with Pride, a 2010 collaboration with 11 community agencies and 2,560 LGBT adults 50 and older. They were surveyed about their aging, physical and mental health, wellness, support systems, caregiving, communities, and services. This research generated new knowledge on health and aging across these diverse communities, finding that LGBT adults are resilient yet at-risk. The project was funded through a federal grant from the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the National Institute on Aging (NIA).

The February 2017 supplemental issue of The Gerontologist contains cutting-edge research from Aging with Pride highlighting the health and well-being of LGBT older adults. The 10 articles focus on topics such as life events, race and ethnicity, resilience among HIV-positive older gay and bisexual men, marriage, and military service among transgender older adults. You can find each of these papers on our publications page.

In the summer of 2016 Generations, the journal of the American Society on Aging, released their first issue on LGBT aging featuring innovative work occurring across the nation to better serve LGBT older adults. Many Aging with Pride community partners contributed to this issue. Click here to visit the Generations website and see this special issue.